Captiva Cruises, McCarthy’s Marina passes to staff

August 31, 2018

Captiva Cruises' management team is the new owner of the business, plus McCarthy's Marina.

The McCarthy family and the estate of Paul F. McCarthy recently announced the sale of both companies to Brad Junghans, Bob Rando and Jenny Rando, who have served as key managers with Captiva Cruises for a combined 63 years. It had been McCarthy's intent for them to take over.

"This has been our lives," Junghans said. "We've worked here for a long time."

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PHOTO PROVIDEDBrad Junghans, Bob Rando and Jenny Rando, the management team at Captiva Cruises, recently became the new owners of the company and McCarthy’s Marina.

He explained that he has been with the company for 21 years and is the general manager, while Bob Rando - charge captain - has 26 years and office manager Jenny Rando has 16 years on the job.

McCarthy founded Captiva Cruises in 1986 and then McCarthy's Marina in 1991. He served as the sole owner until his death in 2016, leaving behind a legacy of environmental stewardship and ecotourism.

Upon his passing, the companies were inherited by his family.

"The McCarthy family really is very proud to pass on the ownership of the companies," McCarthy's brother, Jack McCarthy, said. "Paul always felt that the management team was part of his family, so for us it was a natural extension of his wishes to make that happen."

He added that the team has continued to uphold his legacy of environmental stewardship.

"They have done a tremendous job carrying on his legacy in being active engaged contributors in the community on behalf of Paul and his vision of environmental stewardship," Jack McCarthy said.

When asked why the team was interested in ownership, Junghans echoed that.

"To continue Paul's tradition - it was important to us," he said.

"And to provide service that people are going to want to come back for year-after-year," Junghans added. "It's not something that's easy to do, and our staff does a really good job at it."

Jack McCarthy noted that the year his brother died, Captiva Cruises celebrated its 30th anniversary.

"We hope that the companies have 30 more years ahead of them," he said. "We're very pleased and proud to be part of this transition, and we wish them all the very best."

Asked about any future plans for the companies, the team has nothing on the horizon.

"Right now, we're going to keep it status quo," Junghans said.

"We're focused on working our way through the water quality crisis," he added.

As for what the team is observing on the water, Junghans described it as ever changing.

"Every day is different," he said. "There's good days and bad days."

For example, a recent cruise trip to Cayo Costa State Park came with clear waters.